Partnerships Lead (Boston)

We're putting together a talented team to build the #1 training platform for Runners

We help everyday runners become outstanding by providing world-class training, coaching and community for everyone, whether you're improving your 5k time or training for your first marathon. To date we have built iOS, Android and Apple watch apps that help people achieve their goals by coaching them through the full journey and syncing to their favourite fitness devices.

We’re growing extremely fast and in November 2023 closed a new $6.5M funding round led by JamJar with participation from Eka Ventures, Venrex and Creator Ventures. We want to grow as fast as we can into the future and are looking for individuals who will help us get there. For more about our background and growth check out our Careers Page!

We’re now looking ahead to the future and the people who want to help us build and scale Runna. Our aim is to reach millions of subscribers in the next 5 years and be the go-to training platform for any runner. Now is a magical time to join, we're still small, and everyone makes a foundational difference.

Who we’re looking for

We’re seeking an experienced, dynamic, and driven individual to to lead our partnership go-to-market (GTM) channel – a key growth area for Runna. This role will be based in the US (Boston) and will be critical to expanding our brand presence, particularly in the US market.

Across the past two years, we’ve built strong partnerships with top marathon events (e.g., New York Road Runners), fitness brands (e.g., Brooks), and tech companies (e.g., Strava, Garmin). Now that we’ve established partnerships as a crucial growth channel for Runna, we’re looking to scale our program further in the US.

As the Partnerships Lead, you will own the US partnerships strategy, P&L, and drive exceptional results within this channel. Your role will include:

1) Developing and Executing the US Partnerships Strategy

• Shape and drive the partnerships strategy in alignment with Runna’s growth ambitions, working closely with the UK team to ensure a consistent, impactful approach.
• Identify and target key partners across events, fitness brands, and technology companies, assessing where and how to invest in strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with events, social content, and product teams to integrate our partnerships into key races and across our digital platforms.

2) Winning New Partnerships and Maximizing Existing Relationships

• Expand Runna’s partnerships portfolio by identifying and securing new opportunities within the US market, utilizing existing contacts and proactive outreach.
• Lead commercial negotiations, ensuring partnerships deliver maximum value and ROI for both parties.
• Build and manage strong, empathetic relationships with partners, maintaining Runna’s reputation as a top-tier partner in the industry.
• Be the key escalation point for partners, ensuring smooth fulfillment and maximum impact of all partnership deliverables.

3) Leading and Scaling the Partnerships Team

• Build a talented team across the US (Our partnerships team in the UK is currently 3 team members and we want to replicate / grow this in the US).
• Drive team growth and ensure each team member is developing and reaching their full potential.
• Act as a culture carrier and leader, embodying Runna’s values and fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment.

Requirements

If you don’t quite meet all of the below skills, we’d still love to hear from you as we might be able to tweak the role slightly or offer you a position better suited for you. You can apply directly below or contact us if you’re still unsure.

Your key skills:

4+ years working in partnership management or 3+ years experience in broader role (e.g., ambassador management, marketing, or strategy consulting)

About you:

• You’re a “doer”; not just a “thinker”. You’re hands-on and want to roll up your sleeves / get stuck in (you have a real ‘go get it’ attitude).
• You’re organized, efficient and can execute at pace. You can manage lots of spinning plates and prioritize effectively.
• You’re a fast learner, see feedback as a gift and constantly think about how you can improve.
• You’re fun, personable and love running!
• You’re Boston based

Interview process

Our aim is to keep the interview process as straightforward and enjoyable as possible, and will consist of the